February 6, 2013
-
Dinosaurs
While I understand the draw and ease of using a Kindle or a Nook to read a book I sigh with sadness at the decline of the traditional book. I love holding a book in my hands, turning the pages, smelling the ink, feeling the words run past my eyes. It just isn't the same feeling with a digital book. I saw today that Barnes and Noble, the last large book seller in the nation is struggling. While I don't frequent their establishment, choosing instead to go to a smaller bookstore that is more intimate and friendly, it is very sad to think it may go the way of the dinosaurs.
Comments (3)
Lake Jackson has lost two independent book stores in the last few years. One was called "Book Ends" and was the most delightful place to shop. New and used books - they had a corner with chairs and a coffee pot, as well as two resident kitties: Ophelia and Princess Buttercup. I loved that store.
Most recently, the half price bookstore decided to close. We would go in there from time to time to either trade in or buy. I spoke with the owner when I saw the "Closing" signs on the door -- she pointed to the e-reader movement as her reason for closing. She was not bitter (I think she is of an age that her business was more of a hobby than a livelihood), but a bit sad.
I debated with a techno geek on a WordPress blog about the demise of REAL books. He thinks they will be gone in five years. I hope with all my heart that he is wrong. I love the copy of Green Eggs and Ham that my parents gave me in 1967, and my 40th anniversary edition of Gone With the Wind (with a foreword by James Michener) and my paperback copies of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King -- all of which I've had since high school. Not to mention all the other books that have joined them in between.
AJ gave me a Kindle Fire for Christmas year before this last and I do enjoy it. I use it to check Facebook, play Words With Friends and Angry Birds. I occasionally read a book on it. But there is a stack of books on my kitchen counter that need to be returned to the library, and it will be replaced by other paper and hardbound books . . .
@Laura Swan Jinkins@facebook - Gahh! Five years, I hope that is wrong also. I wonder though. Recently I tried to buy a new copy of a used children's book I found at the local library book sale. The new copy cost $182. Maybe this is an indicator that printing is declining?
@OnTheHoof - You know that ABC book of mine that has all the great pictures.... A is for acrobatic alligators in airplanes... etc? It was done by Hilary Knight of the Eloise books fame. I have tried to find a new copy of it. Nope, not in print. Then I found a used copy. It is considered a huge collectors item.... $350 for a copy in poor condition. Now I can't decide if I should continue to let my grandkids enjoy it. I decided I would as they love it as much as I did when mom and dad gave it to me back in the 60s. I just don't let anyone near it with crayons. Although Hannah did a job on it with a crayon about 20 years ago. What's a book for but to be enjoyed though!
Comments are closed.